IMAGE Business Woman of the Year 2015 Judges Lunch

A New Hack That Could Help You Fall Asleep Faster

We talk a great deal about sleep here at IMAGE. Our patterns vary wildly; I usually never get more than 5-6 hours – I’m such a night person, I often will my body to stay awake – while others insist they need at least eight hours per night (the recommended amount for adults) to function properly the next day. But no matter how much you get, the strains of modern life mean you usually always need more.

In a world where no three-day weeks ever seem like a realistic reality – we’re cramming over 20 days worth of work into five as it is thanks to technology – we’re exhausted and (some of us) going screen-blind. Is it any wonder the internet is rife with advice columns on how to battle insomnia? And yet, in order to truly be productive, rest is what we need. There’s a reason power naps during the day are a thing when it comes to maximising productivity.

With all that in mind, a new study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, suggests that pink noise, a particular type of background noise, similar to white noise (such as background static from TV or radio sets) may work as a treatment for insomnia.

Pink noise is a less intrusive, more relaxing version of white noise that research has suggested can lead to better, deeper sleep. To come that that conclusion, participants listened to pink noise as they slept. When tested the next day they not only reported feeling rested but also performed three times better in memory and cognition tests than those who had had a standard night’s sleep – i.e., without the background noise.

While debilitating insomnia should always be treated properly, this tip might at least help this coming Sunday night, when a new working week looms.